Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1887-12-14
GOVERNMENT LIGHTNING.
cuLLoM PROPOSES TO SET UP oP-
POSITION TO GOULD,

And Supply the People with Telegraph
Service at Low Rates-Points of the
scheme-ChandIer's Bill to Regulate
Southern Elections-The Plant of the
stmasters-Congressiona Doings.
WASHINGTON CITY, Dec. 1.-THE postal
telegraph bill introduced by Senator Cullom
Tuesday establishes the united States postal
telegraph as part of the postal system of
the United States, and for the purpose Of in
augurating the system, provides that the fol-
ing telegraph trunk lines shall first be con-
structed:
One from Washington to Portland, Me-,
via Baltimore, Wilmington, Philadelphia,
Camden, Trenton, Newark, Jersey City,
New York, Brooklyn, New Haven, Hart
ford, Providence and Boston. One from
Washington to Minneapolis, via Pittsburg,
Cleveland, Toledo, Chicago, Milwaukee,
Madison, Lacrosse and St Paul One from
New York city to Cleveland. O., Albany,
Syracuse, Rochester, Buffalo and Erie, Pa
One from Pittsburg to Topeka, Kan, via
Columbus Cincinnati indianapolis St Louis
and Kansas City, and minor towns near the
large cities. One from Toledo to Detroit
One from Washington to Galveston via
Richmond, Charlotte, Columbia, Augusta,
Atlanta, Montgomery. and New Orleans.
One from Chicago to Nav Orleans via In
dianapois, Louisville, Nashville Memphis
and Vicksburg. One from Chicago to St
Louis via Peoria and Springfield. One from
Chicago to San Francisco via Des Moines,
Omaha, Cheyenne, Salt Lake City, Carson
City and other towns en- route One from
Cheyenne to Denver.
Postal telegraph offices are to be opened at
the places named and at all intermediate
points at which first, second, or third-class
postoffices are established. Branch lines it
provides shall be constructed from time to
time as appropriations therefor are made by
congress, the intention being to connect the
lines with all cities where the postal free-de-
livery system prevails; but no additional ia
ciities are to be provided in states already
connected with the trunk lines until postal
telegraph offices have been established in
every state and territory. The sy stem is to
be constructed in straight lines, as near as
practicable, but regard is to be taken of cities
that will afford the best Geographic facilities
to the public
The lines are to be constructed by the engin-
esr corps of the army, and then transferred
to the custody Of the postmaster general.
The poles are to be of iron, the wires copper,
and all other materials of the best character.
Eight wires are to be strung on the line from
| New York to Chicago and upon four other
lines. The secretary OF war is authorized to
use the military lines of the United States, as
far as expedient and also to make all neces-
sary concentrations of lands or buildings at
fair compensation. The secretary is fur
Their authorized to construct, take and use
| all machinery and devices, not including tel
| egraph lines, whether patented or not, a:
sha Il be deemed necessary, the compensation
to be determined in the same manner as con
demnat tons of land The sums of money
necessary for this purpose are appropriated
by the bill
A rate of 10 cents for each 20 words and
cents for each additional ~ words is fixet
for distances of under 800 miles, and an ad
ditional rate of cents for each $50 mile
over 500. A night rate of 35 cents and day
rate of Is cents are fixed for each 100 word
transmitted for newspapers, except that
where the same dispatch is dropped off a
more than one office the rates shall be 9
cents and SO cents respectively for eaci
dropped copy.
The office of director general Of telegraph
is created as a part of the postoffice depart
ment Before the system is put into opera
ton and employees selected examinations ar
to be held by the civil service commission t
determine the fitness of the applicants Fou
million dollars is appropriated for the loca
ton and construction of the telegraph line
provided for by the act.